FSM Emergency Task Force is now coordinating all response effort supplementing the effort of the states and partners such as IOM and MRCS. IOM and MRCS both have preposition stocks of Non Food Items in Chuuk and Yap. Patrol boats FSM03 and FSM02 deployed to Chuuk and Yap states outer islands respectively with national government officials to assess damages sustained and identify key priorities. Priority humanitarian relief supplies such as water and emergency rations had been loaded onto the...

From 11-13 March, Cyclone Pam, ranging from Category 1 to 5, passed across the South Pacific, causing severe destruction and damage to four PICs, Vanuatu, which was hit directly by the full force of the Category 5 winds and rain, the Solomon Islands and the northern atolls of the countries of Tuvalu and Kiribati also experienced damage as a result of severe flooding, tidal waves, rain and winds. On 19 March, UNICEF declared Cyclone Pam a Level 2 emergency, calling for enhanced support from the...

Fiji Times News,, 17 March 2015. A sign of things to come, that's the warning issued by Fiji Meteorological Service acting director Aminiasi Tuidraki as he spoke of the trail of destruction left by the biggest cyclone to have hit the region. Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam marked the beginning of bigger and more intense storms. It is a documented fact from studies that have been done that the frequency of tropical cyclones over the past decade has decreased but the intensity of systems that...

United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF) situation report 3, 16 March 2015. A state of emergency is in place for Shefa Province, Vanuatu, and is likely to be extended to Tanna, Tafea, Malampa and Penama Provinces as previously inaccessible and incommunicado areas are reached and assessed. Communications connectivity is still very limited but plans underway for emergency services and repairs. At least 34 schools are in use as evacuation centres 3,296 people are in...

Fiji Times News, 17 March 2015. International Monetary Fund stands ready to visit Vanuatu at short notice to help the Government assess the macroeconomic situation and determine any financing needs. IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said they were also co-ordinating closely with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other agencies to assess the impact of the natural disaster on the country and determine how best they could help

1 April 2015. When Tropical Cyclone Pam bore down on the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu, more than 300 people on the country’s three northern islands had to evacuate from their homes when high winds and huge waves hurled sand, boulders and debris across tiny atolls and islets. At its highest point, Tuvalu is only 4.6 meters (15 ft) above sea level, making it highly vulnerable to climatic events such as tropical storms. Waist-high waves swamped northern Nui Island as storm surges generated by...

Reports from the northern islands indicate they are okay, apart from the eastern coast of Pentecost. The southern island group, especially Tanna, were hit badly. The roads have been cleared in and around the capital Port Vila and water is on to about 80 percent of the city, however, no one seems confident it is potable. Power is still out in much of the city. The real challenge in the outer islands now is food and water as a large percentage of crops, private gardens and fresh water sources...

Government of the Republic of Vanuatu, National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) situation report 12. This report covers the period from 26 March 2015. On 26 March, Government food packages were dispatched to Aneityum utilising four Australian Blackhawk helicopters. The Australian Naval Logistics/Supply Ship HMAS Tobruk is currently off the coast of Tanna. Once docked, HMAS Tobruk will unload stores and commence operation of its water purification unit. New Zealand Defence Force Logistic/...

Distribution of food to 162,000 people in Tafea, Shefa, Malampa, and Penama; govt purchased 94.5 millionVT worth of locally available emergency rations, Finance for procurement of the food for distribution post the initial distribution (2.5 months of food, estimated to be 400 million vatu), as well as for transport of this food and Finance (100 million vatu) and in-kind of tools and seeds to be distributed (according to FSAC standards and guidelines)

FSAC Team are currently assessing the available food stocks at major suppliers, finding confirmation of funds to purchase locally available food supplies and seeds, Developing a Guideline for Food Distribution, urgent need form donors to Buy All VAS Seeds 555000vt, Shipping 2 weeks to Shepherds 5.6 million, Land Transport to wharf 1 million, Purchase of Locally Available Food Supplies (rice/biscuits/tins) 130 million

The bio security Vanuatu clearance of international aircraft and vessels is a paid service that owners must pay Vanuatu government. Currently there are a number of private vessels and aircraft that are coming into Vanuatu loaded with relief supplies

This update seeks to support growth in innovative policy, practice and partnerships in humanitarian action to better communicate with disaster affected communities. This issue includes Vanuatu in focus - are we communicating with cyclone affected communities

On 1 and 2 April, 11 government-led teams (75 people) assessed 13 islands in Shefa and Tafea. Eleven more teams will be undertaking assessments in Malampa and Penama provinces between 7 and 8 April. The teams are assessing humanitarian needs across six thematic areas: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Shelter; Health and Nutrition; Education; Gender and Protection; and Early Recovery. This report provides a brief overview of key findings in Shefa and Tafea provinces. A comprehensive report...

Ministry of Information News, 31 March 2015. The Fiji Response Team operating from Port Vila in Vanuatu has sent a team of health officials to assist local health practitioners in Tanna Island in the province of Tafea. Led by Dr. Luke Nasedra and Dr. Mark Rokobuili of the Ministry of Health, the team will assist in meeting a high demand for health services in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam. Fiji’s Response Team Leader on the Vanuatu mission is the current Commissioner Western and former National...

To gain immediate clarity on the impact of the disaster, the Government of Vanuatu, supported by the humanitarian partners, led joint initial rapid needs assessments to the most affected areas of the island chain from 18 to 24 March. These assessments found that Shefa and Tafea, where all of the 11 confirmed fatalities occurred, were the hardest-hit provinces. Information collected during this first phase was detailed enough to inform immediate response planning and for the development of the...

31 March 2015. International Medical Corps is providing medical care and water, sanitation, and hygiene support to the survivors of Cyclone Pam on the islands of Ambrym and Paama in Vanuatu. We have performed 653 medical consultations to date in the southeast of Ambrym Island and Paama Island through two mobile medical units (MMUs)

Vanuatu Tropical Cyclone Pam situation report no 18, 7 April 2015. State of emergency in the whole of Vanuatu has been extended through 12 April. The second phase assessments commenced on 6 April with five teams sailing north to assess Penama, Malampa and southern Torba provinces

Vanuatu Tropical Cyclone Pam, UNICEF situation report 13. 10,865 children have been immunized for measles in Shefa and Sanma Provinces. 2,572 children in Shefa Province now have access to temporary learning spaces through UNICEF support